Tissue-dispensing apparatus

ABSTRACT

A tissue-dispensing apparatus ( 10 ) is provided for attaching to a mounting surface ( 14 ), containing a tissue roll ( 16 ), and dispensing sheets of tissue fabric therefrom. In one embodiment, the apparatus ( 10 ) is a one-piece contoured sleeve ( 12 ). This one-piece sleeve ( 12 ) includes a tubular portion ( 18 ) and a mounting portion ( 20 ) that extends from the tubular portion ( 18 ). The tubular portion ( 18 ) is sized for holding the tissue roll ( 16 ) therein and includes a slot ( 22 ) for dispensing tissue fabric therethrough. Moreover, the mounting portion ( 20 ) is intended to attach the tissue-dispensing apparatus ( 10 ) to a wall, a door, a bathroom stall partition, or other suitable mounting surfaces.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to tissue-dispensing devices,and more particularly to a tissue-dispensing apparatus having a simpleconstruction for easy manufacture and installation thereof, as well aslow manufacturing costs associated therewith.

Tissue-dispensing devices are well known. These devices have variousconstructions and are utilized in a substantial number of differentapplications.

For example, a conventional toilet tissue dispenser is comprised of twoarms for attachment to a wall. However, it is understood that thesesupport arms can instead be attached to a bathroom stall partition, adoor, or other suitable mounting surfaces as desired. Ordinarily, thesearms are intended to receive and support a pair of opposing end portionsof an axially collapsible spindle.

This collapsible spindle typically is comprised of two tubular elementsthat are slidably fitted together. In particular, one of these tubularelements usually is sized slightly larger than the other such that thetubular elements can substantially overlap each other as the spindle iscompressed along its axis. The spindle also typically includes a springor other suitable biasing mechanism for disposing the spindle in anextended position. This spindle usually is inserted into a cardboardcore of a tissue roll. Thereafter, the spindle usually is compressedinwardly along its axis so as to fit the spindle in between the supportarms. Then, the spindle is released and the spring causes the opposingend portions of the spindle to engage the support arms. As a result, thetissue roll is mounted on the toilet tissue dispenser.

A drawback of this toilet tissue dispenser is that its structuretypically fails to shield the toilet paper from dust and various otherkinds of bathroom contamination. Such a result clearly is undesirable.

Another example of a tissue-dispensing device is a moistened tissuepaper dispenser as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,439,521. This dispenseris similar to the conventional toilet tissue dispenser because itincludes the two support arms for holding the tissue roll. However, thistissue paper dispenser further includes a housing for the tissue roll.This housing includes a circumferential wall that terminates at opposingends with a pair of end walls. Moreover, the circumferential wallincludes an access panel, which can allow an individual to load a tissueroll into the housing.

A drawback of this toilet tissue dispenser is that the housing has asomewhat complicated structure with a relatively high number ofcomponents. For that reason, manufacturing the dispenser can berelatively expensive.

Yet another example of a tissue-dispensing device is a one-piece facialtissue dispenser as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,123,566. This one-piecedispenser is comprised of a top portion and a bottom portion that ispivotally coupled to the top portion by way of a living hinge. The topportion typically includes a clasp that is positioned opposite to theliving hinge and is intended to engage the bottom portion. In this way,the top portion and the bottom portion enclose a package of foldedfacial tissue. The top portion also typically has a slot integratedtherein for allowing tissue to be removed from within the dispenser.Moreover, the bottom portion has a recess with either an adhesive tapeor a magnet disposed therein. This tape or magnet can be utilized forattaching the dispenser to a mounting surface.

A drawback of this facial tissue dispenser is that the living hinge canbe substantially weakened and ultimately break after only insubstantialuse. Specifically, it is understood that the one-piece dispenser and itsliving hinge are comprised of a plastic material. One skilled in the artwill understand that plastic materials can fatigue and ultimatelyfracture after being deformed a minimum number of cycles. For thatreason, it will be appreciated that the plastic living hinge can breakafter the dispenser is opened and closed a relatively small number oftimes. In that regard, the facial tissue dispenser may no longer beusable after a fairly short period of use. Such a result clearly isundesirable.

Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a tissue-dispensingapparatus that sufficiently protects the tissue from contamination, hasa sufficiently robust construction for enduring a substantial amount ofuse, can be easily manufactured and installed, and is relativelyinexpensive to manufacture.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention provides a tissue-dispensing apparatus. In oneembodiment, this tissue-dispensing apparatus is intended to attach to amounting surface, contain a tissue roll, and allow one or more sheets oftissue fabric to be dispensed therefrom. This tissue-dispensingapparatus is a one-piece contoured sleeve. This one-piece sleeveincludes a tubular portion and a mounting portion that extends from thetubular portion. The tubular portion is sized for containing the tissueroll. The tubular portion also includes a slot for dispensing one ormore sheets of tissue fabric therethrough. Moreover, the mountingportion is intended to attach the tissue-dispensing apparatus to a wall,a door, a bathroom stall partition, or other suitable mounting surfaces.

One advantage of the present invention is that a tissue-dispensingapparatus is provided that has a relatively simple construction, whichrequires relatively low manufacturing costs.

Another advantage of the present invention is that a tissue-dispensingapparatus is provided that is relatively easy to install on a wall, adoor, a bathroom stall partition, or various other suitable mountingsurfaces.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is that atissue-dispensing apparatus is provided that allows for the convenientpackaging and dispensing of tissue in various environments that requiretissue.

Still another advantage of the present invention is that atissue-dispensing apparatus is provided that can be attached to amounting surface adjacent to an exiting door for a restroom therebyallowing individuals to use tissue paper to sanitarily open and closethe door.

Other advantages of the present invention will become apparent whenviewed in light of the detailed description of the invention when takenin conjunction with the attached drawings and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of this invention, reference shouldnow be made to the embodiments illustrated in greater detail in theaccompanying drawings and described below by way of examples of theinvention:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tissue-dispensing apparatus attachedto a mounting surface, according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the tissue-dispensingapparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A is a side view of the tissue-dispensing apparatus shown in FIG.1.

FIG. 3B is a side view of the tissue-dispensing apparatus shown in FIG.1, according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the tissue-dispensing apparatusshown in FIG. 1, as taken along line 4-4.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a one-piece contoured sleeve shown in FIG. 1,illustrating the sleeve before attachment to the mounting surface; and.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the tissue-dispensing apparatus shown in FIG.1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following figures, the same reference numerals are used toidentify the same components in the various views. The present inventionis particularly suited for a tissue-dispensing apparatus that isutilized for containing a tissue roll, dispensing one or more sheets oftissue fabric form the tissue roll, and attaching the apparatus to abathroom wall adjacent to an exiting door for a bathroom.

However, it is understood that the present invention may instead beutilized for dispensing a stack of folded tissue, a roll of plasticgarbage bags, or various other items that require convenient packagingand dispensing. In addition, it is contemplated that thetissue-dispensing apparatus can also be utilized in various otherenvironments as desired.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there are shown a perspective view and anexploded perspective view of a tissue-dispensing apparatus 10, accordingto one embodiment of the invention. This tissue-dispensing apparatus 10includes a one-piece contoured sleeve 12, which is utilized for bothattaching the tissue-dispensing apparatus 10 to a bathroom wall 14 (asshown in FIGS. 3A-3B) and containing a tissue roll 16 therein (as shownin FIG. 2).

Preferably, the tissue-dispensing apparatus 10 is attached to a sectionof the bathroom wall 14 adjacent to an exiting door for the bathroom. Inthis way, a person can use the tissue to open or close the door andprotect himself from contaminating his hand when he touches anunsanitary door handle. This feature is beneficial because it canprotect the person's health as well as others whom he encounters.Moreover, it will be appreciated that this feature is particularlybeneficial in the context of public restrooms where a potentially largenumber of people can use the restroom and then open or close the doorwithout first washing their hands. In addition to the aforementionedexample, it is understood that the tissue-dispensing apparatus 10 can beutilized in a variety of other suitable environments as desired.

As best shown in FIG. 3A, the one-piece tubular sleeve 12 is comprisedof tubular portion 18 and a mounting portion 20 that extends from thetubular portion 18.

The tubular portion 18 is utilized for containing a tissue roll 16 anddispensing one or more sheets of tissue fabric from the tissue roll 16.In this regard, the tubular portion 18 has a generally smooth tubularconstruction with a slot 22 integrally formed therein (as shown in FIG.6). This construction can allow the tissue roll 16 to easily slidewithin the tubular portion 18 as sheets of tissue fabric are pulled fromthe tissue roll 16 through the slot 22. As one skilled in the art willunderstand, this construction allows a person to use relatively littleforce for withdrawing sheets of tissue fabric from the apparatus 10without accidentally tearing the tissue fabric. However, it will beappreciated that the tubular portion 18 can instead have a variety ofother suitable constructions as desired, e.g. a polygon cross-section oran elliptical cross-section.

The mounting portion 20 extends from the tubular portion 18 and isutilized for attaching the tissue-dispensing apparatus 10 to thebathroom stall partition 14. This mounting portion 20 includes a frontsection 20 a that extends from a front side of the tubular portion 18and a rear section 20 b that extends from a rear side of the tubularportion 18. The rear section 20 b preferably has a construction thatconforms to the contour of the bathroom stall partition 14. In thisregard, as shown in FIG. 3A, the rear section 20 b has a generallyplanar rear section 20 b for attachment to the generally planar bathroomstall partition 14.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3B, the rear section 20 bincludes an overhang element 24 for hanging the tissue-dispensingapparatus 10 from the top edge of a bathroom stall partition 14. Inaddition to the examples described herein, it is contemplated that themounting portion 20 can have a variety of other suitable constructionsfor attaching the tissue-dispensing apparatus 10 to the bathroom stallpartition 14 or other mounting surface.

The front and rear sections 20 a, 20 b of the mounting portion 20 eachinclude one or more openings 26 for allowing one or more fasteners 28 topass therethrough and attach the tissue-dispensing apparatus 10 to thebathroom stall partition 14. These fasteners 28 are screw fasteners.However, it is understood that the fasteners 28 can instead be rivetfasteners or various other suitable fasteners as desired.

The rear section 20 b further includes an adhesive pad 30 attachedthereto for attaching the one-piece contoured sleeve 12 to the partition14 and preventing the sleeve 12 from separating from the partition 14 asan individual pulls sheets of tissue fabric from the apparatus 10. Itwill be appreciated that this adhesive pad 30 can be replaced with amagnetic fastener or various other suitable fasteners as desired.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown a plan view of the one-piececontoured sleeve 12 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. This Figure illustrates thesleeve 12 in its natural shape before the front and rear sections 20 a,20 b of the mounting portion 20 are coupled to each other and thenattached to the bathroom stall partition 14. In one embodiment, thisone-piece contoured sleeve 12 is comprised of a resilient material, e.g.a plastic material. In this regard, the attachment of the front and rearsections 20 a, 20 b allows the one-piece contoured sleeve 12 to maintainits shape and contain the tissue roll 16 therein. In other embodiments,the one-piece tubular sleeve 12 can be comprised of a metallic material,a non-resilient material, or other suitable materials as desired.

Referring back to FIG. 2, the tissue-dispensing apparatus 10 furtherincludes two endcaps 32 for attachment to the tubular portion 18 of thesleeve 12. Each endcap 32 is intended to provide additional coverage ofthe tissue roll 16, namely the end portions of the tissue roll 16, andprevent contamination of that tissue roll 16. In addition to thisembodiment, it is understood that the tissue-dispensing apparatus 10 caninstead have one endcap selectively attached thereto or even none asdesired.

Specifically, each endcap 32 is sized for receiving a distal end portion34 of the sleeve 12 and engaging that distal end portion 34 in asnap-fit engagement. In this way, the endcaps 32 can further protect thetissue roll 16 from being contaminated. In addition, this relativelysimple construction allows for easy manufacture and installation of thetissue-dispensing apparatus 10.

For accomplishing these purposes, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4,each endcap 32 has an annular rib 36 protruding inwardly. This annularrib 36 is intended to fit within an annular groove 38 that is formedwithin the distal end portion 34 of the sleeve 12. Furthermore, eachendcap includes one or more notches 39 for receiving the distal endportion 34 of the sleeve 12 and allowing the rib 36 to engage the groove38 of the sleeve 12. As a result, the endcap 32 is attached to thesleeve 12 in the snap-fit engagement. However, it will be appreciatedthat the groove 38 can be formed within the endcap 32, instead of thesleeve 12. Likewise, the rib 36 can be formed within the sleeve 12,instead of the endcap 32. Additionally, it is further contemplated thatvarious types of fastening methods other than the snap-fit engagementcan be utilized for attaching the endcap 32 to the sleeve 12. Forexample, an endcap may be fixedly attached to the sleeve 12 by screwfasteners.

The tissue-dispensing apparatus 10 further includes a spindle 40 forinsertion into a cardboard core of the tissue roll 16 and mounting thattissue roll 16 within the tubular portion 18 of the one-piece sleeve 12.This spindle 40 has end portions 42 sized for insertion into a pair ofapertures 44 formed within their respective endcaps 32. In this way, thetissue roll 16 can be suspended within the tubular portion 18 and anindividual can more easily rotate the tissue roll 16 within theapparatus 10 as he unrolls sheets of tissue fabric from the tissue roll16. The endcaps 32 further include ledge portions 46 extending therefromfor supporting the end portions 42 of the spindle 40. However, it willbe appreciated that the endcaps 32 can have only the apertures 44 formedtherein or only the ledge portions 46 extending therefrom for supportingthe spindle 40. Furthermore, it is also contemplated that the apparatus10 may not include the spindle 40, the apertures 44, and the ledgeportions 46 as desired.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed, numerous variations and alternate embodiments will occur tothose skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended that the inventionbe limited only in terms of the appended claims.

1. A tissue-dispensing apparatus for attachment to a mounting surface,said tissue-dispensing apparatus for mounting a tissue roll therein,said tissue-dispensing apparatus for dispensing a tissue fabrictherefrom, comprising: a one-piece contoured sleeve having a tubularportion and a mounting portion extending from said tubular portion, saidtubular portion for holding the tissue roll therein, said mountingportion for attaching the tissue-dispensing apparatus to the mountingsurface, said tubular portion further including a slot for allowing thetissue fabric to pass therethrough.
 2. The tissue-dispensing apparatusas recited in claim 1 wherein said mounting portion has at least oneopening integrally formed therein for receiving at least one fastenerand attaching the tissue-dispensing apparatus to the mounting surface.3. The tissue-dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein saidmounting portion has at least one fastener coupled thereto for attachingsaid mounting portion to the mounting surface.
 4. The tissue-dispensingapparatus as recited in claim 3 wherein said at least one fastener isselected from the group consisting of an adhesive fastener, a magneticfastener, a screw fastener, and a rivet fastener.
 5. Thetissue-dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said one-piececontoured sleeve is comprised of a material selected from the groupconsisting of a plastic material, a metallic material, and a resilientmaterial.
 6. The tissue-dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 1wherein said mounting portion has a planar construction for attachmentto a planar mounting surface.
 7. The tissue-dispensing apparatus asrecited in claim 1 wherein said mounting portion includes an overhangportion extending therefrom for hanging the tissue-dispensing apparatuson at least one of a door edge, a window sill, and a projectionextending from the mounting surface.
 8. A tissue-dispensing apparatusfor attachment to a mounting surface, said tissue-dispensing apparatusfor mounting a tissue roll therein, said tissue-dispensing apparatus fordispensing a tissue fabric therefrom, comprising: a one-piece contouredsleeve having a tubular portion and a mounting portion extending fromsaid tubular portion, said tubular portion for holding the tissue rolltherein, said mounting portion for attaching the tissue-dispensingapparatus to the mounting surface, said tubular portion furtherincluding a slot for allowing the tissue fabric to pass therethrough;and an endcap coupled to a distal portion of said tubular element forcovering an end portion of the tissue fabric.
 9. The tissue-dispensingapparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein said endcap includes at leastone notch formed therein for receiving an edge of said tubular portion.10. The tissue-dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein saidtubular portion has an edge portion with a groove formed therein forreceiving said endcap and coupling said endcap thereto.
 11. Thetissue-dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 10 wherein said endcaphas a rib for insertion into said groove of said tubular portion andattaching said endcap to said tubular portion in a snap-fit engagement.12. The tissue-dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein saidtubular portion has an edge portion with a rib protruding therefrom forengaging said endcap and attaching said endcap to said tubular portionin a snap-fit engagement.
 13. The tissue-dispensing apparatus as recitedin claim 12 wherein said endcap has a groove formed therein forreceiving said rib and attaching said endcap to said tubular portion insaid snap-fit engagement.
 14. The tissue-dispensing apparatus as recitedin claim 8 wherein said mounting portion has at least one openingintegrally formed therein for receiving at least one fastener andattaching the tissue-dispensing apparatus to the mounting surface. 15.The tissue-dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein saidmounting portion has at least one fastener coupled thereto for attachingsaid mounting portion to the mounting surface, said at least onefastener being selected from the group consisting of an adhesivefastener, a magnetic fastener, a screw fastener, and a rivet fastener.16. The tissue-dispensing apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein saidone-piece contoured sleeve is comprised of a material selected from thegroup consisting of a plastic material, a metallic material, and aresilient material.
 17. The tissue-dispensing apparatus as recited inclaim 8 wherein said mounting portion has at least one of: a planarconstruction for attachment to a planar mounting surface; and anoverhang portion extending therefrom for hanging the tissue-dispensingapparatus on at least one of a door edge, a windowsill, and a projectionextending from the mounting surface.
 18. A tissue-dispensing apparatusfor attachment to a mounting surface, said tissue-dispensing apparatusfor mounting a tissue roll therein, said tissue-dispensing apparatus fordispensing a tissue fabric therefrom, comprising: a one-piece contouredsleeve having a tubular portion and a mounting portion extending fromsaid tubular portion, said tubular portion for holding the tissue rolltherein, said mounting portion for attaching the tissue-dispensingapparatus to the mounting surface, said tubular portion furtherincluding a slot for allowing the tissue fabric to pass therethrough; apair of endcaps coupled to a pair of opposing distal portions of saidtubular element, said pair of endcaps intended to covering the tissuefabric; and a spindle coupled to said pair of endcaps and intended to beinserted into the tissue roll and suspend the tissue roll within thetubular portion.
 19. The tissue-dispensing apparatus as recited in claim18 wherein each of said pair of endcaps has a support member formedtherein for coupling said spindle thereto.
 20. The tissue-dispensingapparatus as recited in claim 18 wherein said mounting portion isattached to at least one of an exiting door for a bathroom and a walladjacent to said exiting door.